Tensioning device for articulating conveyers



May 9, 1950 F. cAR'rl- IDGE TENSIONING DEVICE FOR ARTICULATING CONVEYERS Filed May l0, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lLJ NNl

May 9, 1950 .2,506,519

F. CARTLIDGE TENSIONING DEVICE FOR ARTICULATING CONYEYERS Filed May 10, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lA/VENTOR Frank Cant@ gi/rn@ Patented May 9, 1950 TENSIONING DEVICE FOR ARTICULATIN G CONVEYERS Frank Cartlidge, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 10, 1947, Serial N o. 747,249

(Cl. ISS- 208) Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in conveyors, and more particularly relates to an improved tensioning device for an articulated conveyor of the endless chain and flight type adapted to be used in loading machines of the type operable in confined spaces such as mines.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide an efficient novel and simple form of tensioning device for the chain of an articulated ight conveyor of the center strand endless chain type, so arranged as to compensate for changes in length of the path of travel of the chain of the conveyor as the conveyor moves from a central aligned position to either of its extreme positions of articulation and to maintain a substantially uniform tension on the chain of the conveyor in all positions of articulation thereof.

In carrying out my invention I provide a cam extending transversely of the conveyor adjacent its point of articulation, the |cam face of which corresponds to the changes in length of the path of travel of the conveyor chain as the conveyor swings laterally from one extreme position of lateral adjustment to the other. I also provide a tension idler for engagement with the lower run of the chain of the conveyor and flexibly connect this tension idler to a cam follower engaging the face of the cam so that as the conveyor swings from a longitudinally aligned position to an extreme lateral position of adjustment, the conveyor chain will be taken up to compensate for the diiference in length of its path of travel in its various positions of articulation.

Theseand other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the forward end of a loading machine with certain parts thereof broken away and certain other parts shown in substantially horizontal section in order to more clearly illustrate certain details of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in Side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1, with certain parts thereof shown in substantially longitudinal section; and

Figure 3 is a partial fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 3 3 of Figure 2.

In the drawings the form of my invention illustrated is shown as being embodied in a face loading machine of the type particularly adapted for use in gathering and loading coal into cars in mines. Said machine is constructed along lines somewhat similar to those shown and described in my prior patent No. 2,388,385, dated November 6, 1945, so will only herein be described in sufficient detail to make my present invention readily understandable.

The loading machine includes generally a main frame Il] mounted on two laterally spaced continuous tread devices I I, I I and having a gathering and loading element i2 projecting forwardly from its forward end. Said gathering and loading element includes two laterally spaced orbitally guided chain gathering devices I3, I3 at the forward end of said gathering and loading element and extending along opposite sides of and forwardly of the forward end of a conveyor I4, for picking up loose material from the ground and moving it onto said conveyor. Said conveyor extends from one end of the machine to the other, as in my aforementioned patent, and includes a vertically and laterally swingable inclined elevating portion I5 extending forwardly of the forward end of said main frame in a downwardly inclined direction towards the ground, a central portion I6 forming a rearward continuation of said elevating portion and extending over the top of said main frame and secured thereto so as to be stationary with respect thereto, and a laterally swinging discharge portion (not shown) extending rearwardly beyond the rear end of said main frame.

The inclined elevating portion I5 of the conveyor I 4 is supported in advance of the main frame I0 on a laterally movable support frame I1 for lateral movement with respect to said main frame and for vertical adjustment with respect thereto. Said support frame is pivotally mounted adjacent they forward end of said main frame on a vertical dead shaft I8, mounted at its upper and lower ends in said main frame. Said support frame is also mounted adjacent i-ts upper end on a bearing boss I9 coaxial with said dead shaft and depending from a top portion thereof, which is spaced vertically from a forwardly projecting support plate 2| of said main frame.

..: Said supmrt frame also rests on and slidably moves along a forwardly spaced arcuate bearing plate 22 mounted on the top surface of said forwardly projecting support plate 2l of said main frame, and extends a substantial distance in advance of the forward end of said bearing plate. A piston rod 23 extensible from a fluid pressure cylinder (not shown) pivotally connected to said main frame, is vertically pivoted to an ear 24, projecting from said support frame adjacent one side thereof. Said cylinder and piston rod are provided to swing said support frame and gathering and loading element laterally about the axis of said vertical shaft I8.

The gathering and loading element i2 and the inclined elevating portion i5 of the conveyor I4 are transversely pivoted to opposite laterally spaced forwardly projecting vertical side plates 25, 25 of the support frame Il, coaxially with a transverse drive shaft 26, which serves to drive a chain 21 of said elevating conveyor 'through a sprocket 28, keyed on said shaft. Vertical adjustmentoi' saidelevating convevorisv effected by two laterally spacedY fluid pressure cylinders and `pistons indicated generally by reference char-V Said cylinders and pistons are actersV 29, 29. Y connected between the upper; forward-end portion of said support frame and said gathering; and loading element, as in my aforementioned Patent travel of the conveyor chain Nas it moves laterally 'from one extreme position to another, and to cause said tension idler to take up or relieve tension from said chain so as to provide a uniform tension on saidr chain in all positions of articulation thereof-.-

It', should here be understood that the path of Y travel of the chain 21 shortens as theiconveyor their: direction ofV travel from the upper tothe lowerrun oi the' conveyor about an idler (notV shownlat the overhanging discharge end of the' conveyor; and. extend forwardly therefronr leef Yneath4 thematerialcarryingsurface of the ccnveior:alone, a plate Si; off the central stationary part iii ofY the1 conveyor. YFrorri saidi plate said chain extends over; anidl'er roller journaled on-ahorizontalshaft G mounted in brackets si', 41? extending forwardlypof the swinging support frame l'lpbetween the side frame plates 25; 25 of said support frame. Fromthence said' chain extends under and is meshed the drive sprocket 28 on theV transverse shaft 2%. Said chain'then extendsovera tension idler 3 rnount-l edibetween a p air of spaoed'brackets et, se, on a iorlzontalishait d'5; Said brackets project from a transverse bariSLpiv-otally mounted adjacent its; opposite ends in opposite side Walls -ir'i or",V

the inclined elevating portion i''oi tiieconveyor.

Saidgbai; and' brackets form onelever arm .of aY bell'crank ls', as will hereinafter more clearly appear this .specification proceeds. From said tension idler saidchain; extends forwardly bc- 'neathan idler Zijpurnaledc on a transverse shaft Ejif mounted at its ends, in; said side walls ti', it?. Said; chain thenextends" forwardly from said Vidler SV to. and around an idler 53' at; the for'.-y

wardend ofsaidrconveyor about which it changesv its'direotion, From thence saidchainand flightsV extend upwardly along aplate Sforming the 1natcrial carrying surface of Y the inclined elevating', portion. of the conveyor to and along a plateii formingthe material carrying( surface of' a" horizontal laterallyrv movable portion 5l' Y of' the conveyorJ Said', chain. and ilights` thenjextend along bottom .plate 5a of the stationaryhcrifzontaLpQrtionljof; the conveyor, and; to and' along? the overhangingg discharge portion ,of said conveyor (not-shown) fwherethey reverse their I directiono travel attire-rear end thereof. Flex- Y ibieside wailsl-'iwi connectthelliorizontal laterally. movable-portion ljoijthe. conveyorV with Vthe eral adjustment of lthe laterallyv movableelevatng Y portion Iiof theconveyor withrespect to they stationary horizontal portionl l; thereof, includes 7a. cam 65 formed onY the frwardend or Vsappiate rspaced a slight distance beneath the bottom 'Y plate 3i and extending. forwardly from thetop Y wall-rportionlf ofthe main.;tramet li. Saidfcam is Vformed.tojnove thetension .idler @sito corre spond tothe changes in length of the path'of swings tov one sdewor another from the longitudinal centerline Vof the machine. The reason for this is that clearance is provided between the endsof theiiights35, 35 and the side walls of the conveyor and as the conveyor swings about the axis of the shaft i8, said flights engaging one of the side walls of the Iconveyor at their ends will permit'the chainto1 move to one side-or the" other of; saidi axis" andY out:A the corner about' which the Y conveyorv pivots.

Thecamrilisrengaged by a follower or roller on Vone end of a lever'f'l; Said follower isf'lierein shown as being mounted on the toplsurface'ofsaid lever ony afvert'ical pin GQ; herein shown as being threaded within-saidllever. Said'il'e'ver is mount-s ed intermediate its ends'on'fa vertical' pin it, for

movement about a vertical axis. Said vertical- Vpin is herein shown asbeing threaded' in a top forward portion 'li' of the'A laterally s'wingable support frameV il'v andmoveslaterally with' said frame; A flexible cable 'l2 has: a connector 'M' securedto one ofgitsends,l which is pivotally coni-V nected to the opposite end ofsaidleverl from said follower; Said cablev extendsinia forwardl directionk `from said end of said lever between' vertically and longitudinally Y spaced; guideshoes VVH and W andhas a vcoilnector` 'iii-secured' to-itsiforward end. A tensiorrspring 8G isherein shownas being vhooked to said' connector. The oppositeend ofY said tension Vspri'ngjisV hereinY shown' asbeing hooked vto azconnect'or 8|*4 on the reargendof a ilexible, cable B3'. Saidl cable extends" forwar'dlir from said springaround' anridler shear/eet rotate ably mounted on. azhorizontalpin 5 projecting take uptension onthe cables 'l2 and 83 through the tensionY spring SiLso as to. hold said cables under tensionwand" maintain the follower. tV in. engagement.. with. the.y cam; 55, and. the tension. idler 43 in, engagement with.. the under side ofiY the conveyor chain 272., Said' lever arm. 8,8* ifssecuredto the outer end of. a shaft 8,9', herein slfiownasA being` formed. integrally. with the transfversebartt.. Y' e It may be seen'fr'om the foregoingthat when. thefollower isin the" position shown bysolid lines inFignre, i, thetension` idler @33: will'. be in.. a lowermost position, since at this pointlthesec-l tions of; the conveyor will be .in longitudinalaligit-4 mentwith eachother andthe 'pat-h. ofv travel of, the conveyor chain. will-r befl onger. than when. the

conveyor isswung laterally about .the axis of. tho

' shaft i8. As` the swingable portion. I5. ofthe conf- Vveyor` is swunglaterally to fthe right, the follower,

Y B, will` move inpaf counter-clockwise directionf.

in VFigure 1. Said broken' lines 'diaerarrunatically.

indicate the; position of sani' follower yon sam Said` turnbuckle may be of any;

cam, when said `conveyor is in an extreme position to the right of the center line of the machine. When said follower is in this position, the lever El will pivot about the pin l0 in a clockwise direction. This will pivot the bell crank 49 in a similar direction and will move the tension idler 43 upwardly to take up on the conveyor chain 2l an amount sufficient to maintain tension on said chain at the same value as when the conveyor is in a longitudinally extended position.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting my invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an articulated conveyor, two aligned troughs one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, a laterally flexible conveyor extending along said troughs including an endless chain having spaced apart flights connected thereto, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on said chain in all positions of articulation of said troughs including a cam extending transversely of said troughs adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a follower having engagement with said cam, a movable tension idler having engagement with the lower run of said chain, and a flexible cable operatively connected between said follower and said idler for i holding said follower in operative engagement With said cam and for operatively engaging said idler with said chain and moving said idler with said follower, to vary the effective length of said chain during lateral movement of said swingable trough.

2. In an articulated conveyor, two aligned troughs one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, a laterally flexible conveyor extending along said troughs including an endless chain having spaced apart flights connected thereto, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on said chain in all positions of articulation of said troughs including a cam extending transversely of said troughs adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a lever having engagement with said cam and rocked thereby upon lateral movement of said swingable trough, a movable tension idler having engagement with the lower run of said chain, and a flexible memfber connected lbetween said lever and idler for holding said lever in operative engagement with said cam and for engaging said idler with said chain and moving said idler in a direction to maintain a uniform tension on said conveyor in all positions of articulation thereof.

3. In an articulated conveyor, two aligned troughs one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, a laterally flexible conveyor extending along said troughs including an endless chain having spaced apart flights connected thereto, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on said chain in all positions of articulation of said troughs including a cam extending transversely of said troughs adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a lever, a follower on said lever engaging said cam, a bell crank, a tension idler mounted on said bell crank for engagement with the lower run of said chain, and a flexible cable connecting said lever with said bell crank and holding said follower in engagement with said cam and said idler in engagement with the lower run of said chain and moving said tension idler to conform to movement of said follower, to vary the effective length of said chain during lateral movement of said swingable trough, so as to compensate for changes in length of the path of travel of said chain during lateral swinging movement thereof and to maintain a uniform tension on said chain in all positions of articula-` tion of the conveyor.

4. In an articulated conveyor, two aligned troughs one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, a laterally flexible conveyor extending along said troughs including an endless chain having spaced apart flights connected thereto, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on said chain in all positions of articulation of the conveyor including a cam extending transversely of said troughs adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends for movement about a vertical axis, a follower on one end of said lever and adapted to engage said cam, a bell crank, a tension idler mounted on one lever arm of said bell crank for engagement with the lower run of said chain, and a flexible cable connected between the end of said lever opposite from said follower and said bell crank, for moving said bell crank and idler to conform to movement of said follower and to change the effective length of said chain to conform to the decrease in the length of its path of travel as said conveyor moves from a central aligned position to either of its extreme positions of articulation.

5. In an articulated conveyor, two aligned troughs one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, a laterally flexible conveyor extending along said troughs including an endless chain having spaced apart flights connected thereto, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on said conveyor in all positions of articulation of the conveyor including a cam extending transversely of said troughs adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends for movement about a vertical axis, a follower on one end of said lever and adapted to engage said cam, a bell crank, a tension idler mounted on one lever arm of said bell crank and adapted to engage the lower run of said chain, and a fiexible cable connected between the end of said lever opposite from said follower and said bell crank, for moving said bell crank and idler to conform to movement of said follower and change the effective length of said chain to conform to the decrease in the length of the path of travel thereof as said conveyor moves from a central aligned position to either of its extreme positions of articulation, and a tension spring connected in said flexible cable for maintaining ysaid cable under a predetermined tension and for yieldably holding said follower in engagement with said cam and said tension idler in engagement with said endless chain.

FRANK CARTLIDGE.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Cartlidge Jan. 6, 1942 Number 

